Automated sign



M 1967 c. E. SCHROER 3,321,857

AUTOMATED 3 IGN Filed March 2. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENT OR.

C. E- SCHROER AUTOMATED SIGN May 30, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1965 R m5 N 0 w E. m Q m 8 u m fi May 30, 967 c. E. SCHROER 3,3

AUTOMATED SIGN Filed March 2, 1965 S Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. (mu 5. J'Cl/AOER g4 A fforneg United States Patent Ofiice 3,321,857 Patented May 30, 1967 3,321,857 AUTOMATED SIGN Carl E. Schroer, Evansville, Ind. (3243 Raines Road, Memphis, Tenn. 38118) Filed Mar. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 436,553 7 Claims. ((11. 4tl37) The present invention broadly relates to a sign, and more particularly to a new and novel automated type of sign which effectively serves a multitude of end purposes.

As is known, the present type of automated sign, such as in use for time and temperature indications, for example, usually involves a large number of electrical bulbs which define the variable sign information, being typically controlled by complex electrical circuitry which requires a specialized installation and careful maintenance. Although widespread in use, the previous signs of such type have been limited to certain applications, and, for instance, are not appropriate where animation is desired for advertising purposes.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel form of sign having extensive end purposes, including, for example, use as a time and temperature indicator, for animation in conjunction with a plastic sign, and even for traflic control. The instant invention represents a new and novel approach to an automated sign, wherein, broadly stated, a cell or space defining a desired indicia, such as a number, for example, within one or more flexible sheets is filled with a coloring medium in response to various types of outside control. The aforesaid sheets are superimposed upon each other, where different filling arrangements for the coloring medium may be employed, and, depending upon application, one or more signs may be assembled together to achieve the desired use.

In this latter connection, and by way of example, several of the sign units may be employed together for indicating time and temperature. In any event, the instant automated sign represents over-all simplicity and affords highly effective operational results, and as a minimum number of components are involved, the sign lends itself to ready manufacture and ultimate economies for the user, both in installation and maintenance.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel automated sign.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel automated sign wherein superimposed flexible cells are employed to define any desired changeable indicia.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel automated sign, where one or more of such sign units may be effectively combined for informational and/ or control messages, and where a minimum of operable components are involved, lending the invention to ready installation without undue servicing requirements.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation showing a sign in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the sign of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in section showing assembly details of the sign of FIGS. 1 and 2;

'FIG. 4 is a view in horizontal section, greatly exaggerated for purposes of clarity, showing certain details of the flexible cells forming part of the applicants invention;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section, showing one of the flexible cells of FIG. 4, taken at line 5-5 of such figure;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of a typical arrangement for feeding a coloring medium to the flexible cells of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the feeding arrangement of FIG. 6,

F or the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the applicants new and novel automated sign 10 is typically defined by a frame member 14, preferably made flOm extruded aluminum, for example. A front retaining member 15 in a form of a transparent shield having a central surface 15a, side portions i; and an outwardly extending flange 15c therearound is disposed within the frame member 14, while a translucent rear retaining member 17, in spaced relationship with respect to the front retaining member 15 by reason of sheet members 20, the latter to be discussed more fully herebelow, also comprises a central surface 17a, side portions 17b and an outwardly extending flange 17c therearound.

In a preferred form of the invention, the front retaining member 15 and the rear retaining member 17 are positively maintained in position within the frame member 14 through the use of a series of spring-loaded guide pin assemblies 24 (see FIG. 3), spaced apart in desired intervals around the frame member 14. The spacing between such guide pin assemblies 24 depends, in part, upon the size and geometry of the particular sign unit.

In any event, considering any one of such guide pin assemblies 24, aligned openings 15d and 17d are respectively disposed through a portion of the flanges 15c and of the front and rear retaining members 15 and 17, being adapted to receive a guide pin 24a which typically extends inwardly from a wall of the frame member 14. In order to continually urge the rear retaining member 15 towards the front retaining member 17, as a typical means of positioning and controlling the condition of the sheet members 241, spring means 24b is provided, the latter being seated within containers 24c and 240'. A tension adjustment screw 24d threadedly extending through a portion of the frame member 14, controls the tension of the spring means 24b.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the aforementioned sheet members 20 each typically comprises, in a preferred form of the invention, two sheets of flexible plastic material, heat sealed together, for example, to define an expandible receiving cell or space 20a for a colored fluid. As should be evident from FIG. 1, where the desired sign indicia is a series of numerals, the receiving cell 20a assumes the configuration of one of such numerals, where a plurality of sheet members 20, superimposed upon each other between the front retaining member 15 and the rear retaining member 17, each define, by their respective cells, other of such numerals. Where numerals are employed, a typical arrangement calls for ten sheet members 20, i.e. one for each numeral and the number 0.

The colored fluid, typically a liquid dye, is caused to enter into each cell 20a through a conduit 2% generally disposed at the bottom portion of each of the illustrated numerals (see FIG. 5 and the broken line representations in FIG. 1). In that several sheet members 20 are employed, each feed conduit 2%, except the innermost, i.e.

the one adjacent the rear retaining member 15, passes through one or more sheet members 20 (see exaggerated FIG. 4) in one invention arrangement. The aforesaid feed location of each conduit 20!), i.e., at the bottom portion of the cell 20a, lends to the full emptying of such cell 20a, when desired, as well as to the concealment of any colored fluid which may remain within the cell after emptying, noting that the filling of any other cell 20a will conceal such residue.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a typical arrangement for feeding the colored fluid to each of the aforesaid flexible cells 20a in the sheet members 20. In this particular arrangement, a reservoir or bladder 30 is provided for storing the colored fluid, where a fixed arm 31 and a pivotal arm 32 surround such bladder 30. A solenoid 33 is secured to one end of the fixed arm 31, where a spring 34, disposed around a plunger 36 actuated by the solenoid 33, urges the pivotal arm 32 away from the fixed arm 31, representing a condition where the bladder remains full of the colored fluid.

A stop 36a is provided on the plunger 36, so that upon energization of the solenoid 33, the plunger 36 moves, causing the stop 36:: to draw the pivotal arm 32 towards the fixed arm 31 and, hence, the emptying of the bladder 30, at outlet conduit 30a, through pressure or squeezing applied by the arms 31 and 32. Each of the flexible cells 20a in the sheet members 20 is connected to a bladder 30, where operation of each of the solenoid actuated plungers 36 may be controlled in various manners, including, by way of example, a timing device, a thermometer which causes control impulses, a program clock, and the like.

Each individual sign unit is light-tight, so that when viewing the sign from the front, none of the indicia is visible. Whenever, however, a control signal is given, and the colored fluid is forced from the individually responsive bladder 30, as described above, the colored fluid flows through feed conduit 20b into the appropriate flexible cell 20a which represents the desired indicia, expanding such cell 20a and making same visible by reason of selectively operable illuminating means (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3) behind the rear retaining member 17. In an alternative form of the invention, the illuminating means may be on the outside of the sign unit and shine thereon.

As stated hereabove, the invention has many important applications, including, when individual sign units are assembled together, an effective but yet simple approach for achieving a time-temperature sign; a sign which may be animated, i.e. where the actual filling of the indicia representing cell causes an animation effect; and, even further, as a traflic signal, where, for example, the control colors would slowly and visibly diminish in response to time.

It should be evident from the preceding that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel automated sign which is positive in action, and yet which requires no complex equipment to achieve the desired end results. As stated, other fluid color introducing arrangements may be utilized, as, for example, a plunger type mechanism, all, however, in combination with the ex'pandible cells of the sheet members which define the desired information.

Accordingly, the automated sign disclosed herein is susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, each of the sheet members 20 could be reversed in relationship, i.e. the indicia could be fixed while the remaining portion of the sheet member could be expandible. Additionally, proportioning may be varied, and while not illustrated, sign units grouped together to achieve other advertising and/ or control effects. Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising a framework, a front retaining member and a rear retaining member positioned on said framework, a plurality of sheet members disposed in superimposed relationship between said front retaining member and said rear retaining member, means urging said front retaining member and said rear retaining member together, said sheet members each having an expandible fluid receiving cavity forming a part thereof, and means introducing fluid into said receiving cavity.

2. The sign of claim 1 where said each expandible fluid receiving cavity has a feed-drain port proximate the bottom thereof.

3. The sign of claim 1 where other means selectively control said fluid introducing means.

4. The sign of claim 1 where said expandible fluid receiving cavity is in the configuration of an indicia character.

5. An automated indicating unit comprising a framework, a front retaining member and a rear retaining member positioned on said framework, sheet members disposed in superimposed relationship between said front retaining member and said rear retaining member, said sheet members each having a flexible fluid receiving cavity forming a part thereof and in the configuration of a desired information character, means urging said front retaining member and said rear retaining member together and against any fluid in said each flexible fluid receiving cavity, a source of light disposed within said framework, means selectively introducing fluid into and emptying fluid from said each flexible fluid receiving cavity, and means controlling said selective introduction and emptying of said fluid.

6. The automated indicating unit of claim 5 Where said fluid is maintained in a reservoir, and where electrically controlled arms surrounding said reservoir selectively urge the flow of fluid therefrom.

7. A sign comprising a framework, a front retaining member and a rear retaining member positioned by said framework, at least one expandible fluid receiving cell positioned between said front retaining member and said rear retaining member, and means introducing fluid into said expandible cell, said expandible cell being discernable when said fluid is introduced therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,458,840 6/ 1923 Montgomery 40-1062 1,782,328 11/1930 Wearham 40-28 1,797,508 3/1931 Lawrence 40-37 3,142,917 8/1964 Spender 40-37 3,200,525 8/1965 Francis 40-106.22 X

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. I. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A SIGN COMPRISING A FRAMEWORK, A FRONT RETAINING MEMBER AND A REAR RETAINING MEMBER POSITIONED ON SAID FRAMEWORK, A PLURALITY OF SHEET MEMBERS DISPOSED IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID FRONT RETAINING MEMBER AND SAID REAR RETAINING MEMBER, MEANS URGING SAID FRONT RETAINING MEMBER AND SAID REAR RETAINING MEMBER TOGETHER, SAID SHEET MEMBERS EACH HAVING AN EXPANDIBLE FLUID RECEIVING CAVITY FORMING A PART THEREOF, AND MEANS INTRODUCING FLUID INTO SAID RECEIVING CAVITY. 